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Durham / Graham family in Middleton in Teesdale, late 18th century, non-conformists?
« on: Saturday 29 March 14 02:17 GMT (UK) »
I am searching for more information on, and ancestry of a John Graham, lead miner of Middleton in Teesdale, who married an Elizabeth (Betty) Ebdon 27 Aug 1801. She appears to have been christened in Middleton in Teesdale 28 October 1770 according to the parish records (see http://genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/Transcriptions/DUR/XMTD_CF.html#E, top of the list). John Graham should have been born about the same time* in the same parish (the parish records for the births & christenings of their children clearly state that parents John Graham and wife Betty Ebdon are both natives of the Middleton-in-Teesdale parish). However, a birth or christening record for a John Graham in the right time frame in the parish appears not to exist.
I have a theory about the reason for that; possibly he was christened among a nonconformist group, records of which in Middleton-in-Teesdale seem not be have been indexed or available.
Supporting that, first I understand that it was common among nonconformists to not subject themselves to publication of marriage banns, just as John Graham did in getting married by license: England, Durham Diocese, Marriage Bonds & Allegations, includes (d. 27 Aug 1801) the marriage license of John Graham of Middleton-in-Teesdale, profession miner, to Elizabeth Hebdon of Stockton, with bondsman Edward Rob(in)son of Stockton, profession shoemaker.
*We can only assume that John Graham was born no later than 1779/1780 because the age on the license actually means 21 or upwards; probably he was older, closer to his wife's age of 31. The occupation for him on the marriage license (miner) is the same reported in Middleton-in-Teesdale parish records. John Graham is not found on England Censuses; he probably died prior to 1841.
Also, in later generations of this family there are verified non-conformists. One of John Graham's sons John b. 1803 married Margaret Grieves. This family (from whom I am descended) was clearly nonconformist (Wesleyan Methodist) which may suggest that John Graham's parents were also. (Incidentally, John Graham's bondsman Edward Robson was likely nonconformist (Quaker) judging by available IGI records on Robsons in Stockton-on-Tees, though this probably has no relative significance). In any case, there were evidently significant numbers of nonconformists in Middleton-in-Teesdale and other Durham locations for which very little or no coverage in IGI is evident.
If anyone can shed light on any of these questions or speculations, please do!
Finally, there is this interesting bit:
http://www.mindat.org/loc-49459.html
"High Skears Mine: Mine on eastern side of Hudeshope Valley accessing mineralised ground in the Great Limestone on the Walton's and Graham's veins.
Worked by Backhouse & Co. from 1845 to 1862 yielding 3890 tons of lead concentrates. Interestingly, only yielded 10 tons during London Lead Co. operations between 1863 and 1881."
I wonder if the Graham's veins are named from this Graham family......
Thank you, Chris Munson
I have a theory about the reason for that; possibly he was christened among a nonconformist group, records of which in Middleton-in-Teesdale seem not be have been indexed or available.
Supporting that, first I understand that it was common among nonconformists to not subject themselves to publication of marriage banns, just as John Graham did in getting married by license: England, Durham Diocese, Marriage Bonds & Allegations, includes (d. 27 Aug 1801) the marriage license of John Graham of Middleton-in-Teesdale, profession miner, to Elizabeth Hebdon of Stockton, with bondsman Edward Rob(in)son of Stockton, profession shoemaker.
*We can only assume that John Graham was born no later than 1779/1780 because the age on the license actually means 21 or upwards; probably he was older, closer to his wife's age of 31. The occupation for him on the marriage license (miner) is the same reported in Middleton-in-Teesdale parish records. John Graham is not found on England Censuses; he probably died prior to 1841.
Also, in later generations of this family there are verified non-conformists. One of John Graham's sons John b. 1803 married Margaret Grieves. This family (from whom I am descended) was clearly nonconformist (Wesleyan Methodist) which may suggest that John Graham's parents were also. (Incidentally, John Graham's bondsman Edward Robson was likely nonconformist (Quaker) judging by available IGI records on Robsons in Stockton-on-Tees, though this probably has no relative significance). In any case, there were evidently significant numbers of nonconformists in Middleton-in-Teesdale and other Durham locations for which very little or no coverage in IGI is evident.
If anyone can shed light on any of these questions or speculations, please do!
Finally, there is this interesting bit:
http://www.mindat.org/loc-49459.html
"High Skears Mine: Mine on eastern side of Hudeshope Valley accessing mineralised ground in the Great Limestone on the Walton's and Graham's veins.
Worked by Backhouse & Co. from 1845 to 1862 yielding 3890 tons of lead concentrates. Interestingly, only yielded 10 tons during London Lead Co. operations between 1863 and 1881."
I wonder if the Graham's veins are named from this Graham family......
Thank you, Chris Munson